asked the Home Secretary whether he will issue a circular to magistrates pointing out the undesirability of imposing a heavy fine for motoring offences with 28 days to pay and a promise of part remission if a substantial sum is paid within that period?

My right hon. Friend has been in communication with the magistrate whose method of dealing with certain classes of offences has probably led the hon. Member to put this Question. The magistrate, I understand, adopted the method because of the difficulty in many cases of obtaining, at the time of the defendant's first appearance in court, reliable information as to his means, but he has now decided to abandon it. My right hon. Friend does not think any general circular to courts is called for.

Will the hon. Gentleman make further representations to the magistrate concerned, suggesting that when he has no knowledge of the means of the applicant, he might also modify the language that he uses?

I cannot answer that question without notice.